National American Indian Heritage Month, 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

As the first people to call our country home, American Indians and
Alaska Natives have a noble history in this land and have long shaped
our Nation. During National American Indian Heritage Month, we
celebrate our commitment to respect and preserve the rich Native
American traditions and cultures.

The enduring experiences of tribal communities are a cherished part
of our national story. In September, I was proud to meet with tribal
leaders and celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian Institution's
National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in
Washington, D.C. This new facility stands as a powerful symbol of the
pride and vitality of our Native Peoples. The museum showcases
masterworks of great cultural, historical, and spiritual significance.
Through exhibits documenting past and present achievements and hopes
for the future, it will intro-duce generations of visitors to the
strong and living traditions of Native Americans. As a center for
scholarship and learning, the National Museum of the American Indian
will also advance understanding of the diversity that makes our Nation
great.

My Administration is committed to helping Native Americans as they
build on their proud legacy. With the funding of my 2005 budget, we
will have provided the Bureau of Indian Affairs with more than $1.1
billion for school construction and repairs during the past 4 years.
To improve education for American Indian and Alaska Native children, I
signed an executive order establishing an Interagency Working Group to
help students meet the standards set by the No Child Left Behind Act of
2001 in a manner that is consistent with tribal traditions, languages,
and cultures. By setting standards for academic achievement and
cultural learning, Americans in all communities can help their children
realize a brighter future. I also signed an executive memorandum to
all Federal agencies affirming the Federal Government's continuing
commitment to recognize tribal sovereignty and self-determination. As
they have in the past, tribal governments will maintain jurisdiction
over their lands, systems of self-governance, and
government-to-government relationships with the United States.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2004 as
National American Indian Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans to
commemorate this month with appro-priate programs and activities and to
learn more about the rich heritage of American Indians and Alaska
Natives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-ninth.